bad brake squeal

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  • gsnewbie68
    • Apr 2026

    #1

    bad brake squeal

    I just replaced my front pads and now when I come to a stop it sounds like a thousand rats squeaking this has been going on now for 3 days I was hoping that they needed to seat but that's not the case here. Anyone have any suggestions? I used organic pads could they be the cause?
  • Rob S.
    Forum Guru
    Past Site Supporter
    • Dec 2013
    • 9487
    • New York City

    #2
    Have a read:

    1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

    2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

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    • gsnewbie68

      #3
      I used brake lube on them.

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      • tkent02
        Forum LongTimer
        Past Site Supporter
        • Jan 2006
        • 35571
        • Near South Park

        #4
        Is this the '79 850? Some pads squeal more than others, but the early round pad brakes tend to squeal. The later ones don't.
        http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

        Life is too short to ride an L.

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        • gsnewbie68

          #5
          Yes it is it's the 79 with the round pads

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          • tkent02
            Forum LongTimer
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jan 2006
            • 35571
            • Near South Park

            #6
            I never keep those round pad brakes because the don't slow you down very much, but they almost always seem to squeal.
            What procedure did you use to bed in the pads? Get them good and hot first? Easy braking in the beginning then more aggressive?

            If you did all of that you might try some different pads. I like the sintered ones, at least you get a little more braking, don't know about the likelihood of squealing.
            If it were my bike I'd find some '80 and later calipers with the rectangular pads, they don't squeal and actually slow you down a little bit.
            http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

            Life is too short to ride an L.

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            • gsnewbie68

              #7
              I got them good and hot rode around with the brake dragging maybe I should try again.

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              • gsnewbie68

                #8
                I am looking to upgrade after the riding season is over here I have a lot of work I plan to do this winter

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                • tkent02
                  Forum LongTimer
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • Jan 2006
                  • 35571
                  • Near South Park

                  #9
                  Get them hot by dragging then brake somewhat harder, gently at first, then harder. Too hard too early can deform the pads completely, not getting them hot enough doesn't cook the resins in the pads and doesn't transfer the pad material onto the disc. It can make a huge difference.


                  Better yet, spend an hour googling what happens when modern high performance brake pads are bedded in properly, there's some amazing science going on in there.
                  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                  Life is too short to ride an L.

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                  • gsnewbie68

                    #10
                    Ok I'll do that

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